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Ayer, Townsend get ready for their big Hollywood moment

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:
04/10/2017 07:03:41 PM EDT

Director John Stimpson and Boston-based actor Sarah Fischer in wardrobe at New England Studios in Devens. "The Spruces and the Pines," an independent holiday film, will be shot at location in Ayer, Townsend, Stow and Bolton.
SUN/ANNE O'CONNOR

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DEVENS -- Filming on location sounds so romantic: warm sands, exotic animals and a traveling support staff to keep everything moving on budget and on time.

Massachusetts, with its film tax incentive, has become a favored destination for large and small-scale productions.

This month, "The Spruces and the Pines," an independent holiday film, is headquartered at New England Studies in Devens. Instead of beaches and tropical drinks, the movie includes two Christmas tree farms and a small-town downtown.

The independent filmmakers, who live in Massachusetts, will be shooting completely on location with no sets.

They couldn't be happier. Because the new studio is beautiful and all ready to use, the company saves time and money, said Associate Producer Mike O'Neil.

The team has offices in one building and wardrobe in another. A group of bearded young men worked to be sure the crew would have all the equipment needed to film, delivering an informal progress report to the bosses.

The first stop is downtown Ayer beginning Tuesday. "There'll be a lot of activity," O'Neil said.

The location is perfect for the small-town feel, he said. They will use building exteriors and shoot interiors in Union Coffee Roasters.

The Christmas love story involves the daughter of one Christmas tree farm owner and the nephew of another, said Director John Stimpson.

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Think Romeo and Juliet. They have to figure out how to get their families on board and how to continue to run the farms.

No matter what happens with the weather, filming will take place. The budget is tight.

Part of the challenge will be to get the filming done quickly before the blooms come out. "We'll do the best we can to hide it," Stimpson said.

One of the farms is in Townsend, the D.J. Hussey Farm. "John (Hussey) has been a great friend of the film overall," O'Neil said.

The other is Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm in Stow. The film will also shoot at Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton.

The Massachusetts filmmakers have filmed several times in Worcester. This is the first time they have worked out of Devens.

The journey to the various locations is short. "We make it a point to be out this way," said Producer Mark Donadio.

Compared to the big extravaganza filming at the same time in NE Studios, "Spruces and Pines" is a small, modest project, he said. There are no sets and perhaps a tenth of the staff.

The company came together in March, films in April and will have the film ready to sell in June. It will be out in December.

The tax credit for films has allowed the independent filmmakers to have a financial impact on the community, he said. "It absolutely creates jobs," he said.

The film will use different services like towing and catering. It will purchase things like lumber. Six of the eight actors are from the region.

Students can intern with the film.

"It's going to be wonderful having downtown Ayer showcased," said Ayer's Director of Economic and Community Development Alan S. Manoian. "There is an amazing life in the creative economy right in Massachusetts."

The filmmakers agree.

"We've taken our story to the Statehouse," Donadio said. The value of the state tax credit is important. Since 2010, the team has filmed up to three movies a year.

For local actors, it is a chance to interact with bigger stars, Stimpson said. "I love being able to give our local actors a big, meaty role," he said.

Lead actors Jonna Walsh and Nick Ballard have both been in studio movies and on television.

On a late Friday afternoon, the week before filming would start, things were quiet at the studio. Stimpson, whose job includes working with the actors to bring out the best, visited with Boston-based Sarah Fischer.

The blonde woman with a contagious smile was over in wardrobe sporting a Santa hat. Temperatures in the 70s and perhaps 80s were expected for outside filming of a winter scene.

No matter what comes, the show must go on.

Follow Anne O'Connor on Twitter @a1oconnor.

CALL FOR EXTRAS

Movie fans in Nashoba Valley will have an opportunity to appear in "The Spruces and The Pines" an independent holiday film. The film is currently casting extras to play pedestrians, coffee shop patrons, tree farm customers, farm worker and wedding guests. All extras may need to bring Christmas/wedding attire, including suits, dresses, scarfs, winter jackets, hats, gloves, sweaters, etc., you may also be asked to bring shopping bags, purse, etc.

The current filming schedule is April 11, 12, and 13, 2017 in Ayer. Additional filming will be performed in Stow on April 19, 20, and 21 and in Townsend on April 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. The current time for each day is 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but is subject to change. If selected your specific call time and location will be provided. All extras selected should plan on being on set for 6 to 8 hours. You may be selected to do an interior and exterior scene.

You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the film. You must be NONUNION. This is a voluntary cast position, as there is NO compensation. Additionally, all extras must be able to self-report to the set.

If interested in any of these roles, please reply to treefarmfilmextras@gmail.com and include in the subject line: "Extra." Include in the body of the email: your name, the dates and times you are available, your phone number; your age, you are NONUNION, a current photo of yourself (if available). Also indicate that you can self-report to the set.

The film producers will contact you directly if selected and they thank you for your consideration to participate in the film.

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